An unnamed juror in the Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs sex case has lashed back at the public for hammering the jury panel for delivering a light verdict.
One of the jurors who let off Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs case has raged at the public for mocking the shamed rapper’s light verdict.
The unnamed juror hit out after Combs, 55, was only found guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution – which could see him do hardly any more jail time.
They fumed about the backlash to the decision from celebrities, victims’ campaigners and trial watchers: “We spent over two days deliberating. Our decision was based solely on the evidence presented and how the law is stated.
“We would have treated any defendant in the same manner regardless of who they are. I have nothing else to say.”
Combs’ attorney Anna Estevao described Wednesday’s mixed verdict as a “huge win” for the I’ll Be Missing You rapper. After the 12-person jury in the music mogul’s federal trial cleared him of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy, he no longer faces up to life in prison. He has been denied bail by US District Judge Arun Subramanian ahead of his sentencing in October.
But legal experts have said his legal team could argue time served means he should walk free in a few months.
Ms Estevao said outside the courtroom in Manhattan, New York, after the verdict was read: “This is a reminder to everyone I hope of the flaws in the criminal justice system and for everybody to take a second look when the government charges people with crimes.
“This is a huge win. He was acquitted of sex trafficking, acquitted of RICO conspiracy and he will sleep well at night knowing that.”
Critics have said the prosecution took their case too far by attempting to paint sex freak Combs as a mafia don.
Combs – who has been languishing in custody in Brooklyn since his arrest last September – was convinced of flying people around the US to engage in sexual encounters.
Judge Subramanian denied bail as he noted the prosecution’s argument that a Mann Act violation means the detention is “mandatory”.
The original 1919 law prohibited interstate or foreign commerce transport of a woman or girl “or prostitution, debauchery or for any other immoral purpose”.
In 1986, the law was made gender-neutral.
The wording altered to change “debauchery” and “immoral purpose” to “any sexual activity for which any person can be charged with a criminal offence”.
Combs was convicted of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution relating to ex-girlfriends Cassie Ventura and a woman who testified under the name ‘Jane’. His seven-week trial heard from 34 witnesses, with testimony including horrific claims of abuse and details of Combs’ allegedly drug-fuelled ‘Freak-Off’ orgies.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
